PVM Student Among Future Equine Practitioners Awarded Oakwood Scholarship at AAEP Convention

January 25, 2019

Congratulations to fourth-year Purdue veterinary student Abbie Haffner, who is one of five equine veterinary students selected to receive a $5,000 Oakwood Scholarship, made possible by the generosity of Renee and John Grisham’s Oakwood Foundation Charitable Trust. The scholarships were presented last month at the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) annual convention in San Francisco, Calif.

In a story published in BloodHorse magazine, Abbie, a native of Pendleton, Ind., was quoted as saying, “I am very honored to receive the Oakwood Scholarship through the AAEP.” She added, “While financial support is always greatly appreciated, I am forever grateful to the scholarship committee for realizing and having confidence in my future career goals and aspirations. As a girl who grew up in all facets of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing in Indiana, I am very proud and happy to be able to contribute in a new way next year.”

Abbie Haffner pictured with fellow scholarship recipients at AAEP — Purdue veterinary student Abbie Haffner (third from right) is honored with four other Oakwood Scholarship recipients at the AAEP Annual Convention by Dr. Rick Mitchell, AAEP Foundation Chair (far left), and Dr. Nat White, AAEP Past President (far right). (Photo courtesy of AAEP)

Second- and third-year veterinary students pursuing a career in equine medicine and active within any of the AAEP’s 39 student chapters at colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean may apply for an Oakwood Scholarship. The scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to equine veterinary medicine. Students interested in applying must also have the support of AAEP members and their clinical instructors.

Mrs. Grisham, along with her husband, the famed novelist, owns and operates Oakwood Farm in Covesville, Va. She is an avid horseman and strong advocate for horse health. Among the Grishams’ many philanthropic interests is a dedication to education. “With the help of the AAEP Foundation, I am pleased to offer this opportunity to benefit future equine veterinarians,” Mrs. Grisham said.

The other four Oakwood Scholarship recipients hail from the University of California at Davis, Washington State University, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Calgary. Read more information about this program and other scholarships offered through the AAEP Foundation

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

“Paws Up” for Craig Weiderhaft – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we want to give a big “high five” to Craig Weiderhaft who is a phone communications and front desk representative at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.

Dogs across the Midwest find customized care at the Evan and Sue Ann Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center

Studying canine cancer — including personalizing treatments, honing protocols and exploring new drugs, all of which will shed light on human cancer care — is the focus of veterinary researchers at a specialized center at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Faculty and staff contributions move Purdue Veterinary Medicine toward goal for Purdue United Way Campaign

With the 2026 Purdue United Way Campaign in full swing, Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff participation is advancing the college toward its campaign support goal. At the halfway point of the campaign, figures show the college is nearly halfway to its goal of raising $20,000.

In Memory – Dr. Raymond E. Plue (PU DVM ’68)

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Raymond E. Plue, who was a generous, fun-loving, adventuresome and larger-than-life alumnus. Dr. Plue passed away Saturday, October 10, 2026, in Columbia, Missouri. He was 81.

Annual Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog grows in participation and dollars raised

The numbers are in from the 2026 Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog and they paint a beautiful picture of a very successful event, both in terms of the number of human and canine participants and the funds raised for Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Priority 4 Paws shelter medicine program. Beautiful weather and the enthusiasm of both dogs and runners contributed to the fun and excitement of the annual 5K run/walk, which generated numerous fun photo ops and raised significant funds for a good cause.